Tracks are quieter than bars: Vettel

Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel has blasted the new V6 turbo engines for a lack of noise, saying the tracks were now quieter than most bars and that fans were missing out.

The German has dominated the sport for the last four years with the old V8 engines but his run of nine consecutive victories ended in Melbourne in the season opening race two weeks ago when he retired with a reliability issue.

The early stop gave Vettel a chance to hear the cars continue around the Albert Park track with the lack of noise not proving music to the ears of the Red Bull driver.

“I was on the pitwall during the race, and it is (quieter) than in a bar, and that’s not good for the fans,” he told reporters at the Malaysian Grand Prix on Thursday. “I think F1 has to be spectacular and the sound is one of the most important things.”

Vettel said the deafening noise of the old Formula One engines had made a lasting impression when he first went to a race in Germany aged six.

“We went to see the cars live in free practice in Germany, and the one thing I remember was the sound. I remember how loud the cars were and to feel the cars through the ground as it was vibrating. It is a shame we don’t have that anymore.”

The view was shared by Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who said the lack of noise around the circuits had taken some of the magic away from the glamour sport.

“It’s ok, its not special how it used to be but its a lot of power and special in other ways,” the 2008 world champion said.